I need a reverse shoulder replacement - What should I expect?

I am scheduled to have a reverse total shoulder surgery after a failed rotator cuff repair. Can anyone share how they faired after this surgery? I don’t want to go through another failed surgery and can live (not happily) with the present limited ROM that I have, if it’s not worth it.

@cedarrose While I'm not a shoulder surgery patient, I did find a couple of discussions that may give you some information about reverse total shoulder replacement.

Shoulder replacement
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/shoulder-replacement/
Concerns After Reverse Total Shoulder replacement
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/concerns-after-reverse-total-shoulder-replacement/

I had total reverse shoulder surgery in October 9. Been in rehab for 30 days and have 90 days to go. The first 45 days were tough. I am starting to feel and see results.You will be able to do anything first 30 days without help. Would I do it again, absolutely

Hello @cedarrose. I combined your discussion with another discussion titled:

- I need a reverse shoulder replacement - What should I expect?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/reverse-shoulder-replacement-7/
@denhyg1run started this discussion when facing a similar situation as yourself. @rainerhans, @loreleiks, @momsys and @fausty all shared their experiences with reverse shoulder replacement as well.

@cedarrose, you mentioned you had a failed rotator repair surgery. Has this led to any arthritis and pain as well, or is the main issue you are facing your limited ROM?

I had a right knee replacement and a reverse shoulder replacement in November of last year. I'm still going to Physical Therapy twice a week. The surgery sucked, the surgeon forgot to order pain killers after the surgery. I begged the nurses for medication, and I recieved hydrocodone 10/325. I use that daily for back pain. So I spent
the entire night in excruciating pain.
My knee replacement went far better in regards in pain management. The rehab was way too long, but now I'm without any pain in my knee.
As for my reverse shoulder replacement, I'm still in constant pain . More so on rehab days. The jury is still out on the shoulder surgery. I wasn't in as much pain before the surgery than now. Also I am 67 years old. I don't think that is too old for surgery. Maybe in your late 80s is too old.Good luck on your decision.

Thank you for sharing your experience with the reverse total shoulder. Sounds like you had and hopefully continue to have a successful outcome.

It is different for everybody I believe. Mine was needed after a fall during the pandemic, so I had little idea what to expect. It was also my first joint replacement. I have heard many people are fortunate to have a spouse or friend to take care of them. I was also a caregiver at the time and learned quickly to use my good arm. A friend would not have been allowed in my hospital room during the pandemic. I was on opioids for two months (sought help from a primary care near my building, thank heavens) but found I could just taper or quit as when the side effects overcame the benefits. This was by two months. I was 64. Driving for the first time was painful at first because some tiny muscles had not been used for awhile. I always had upper body weakness and had had bursitis in that shoulder when my kids were young. Maybe this is why I found it more painful than most people do. I had PT at home at first, and later after becoming employed again. Not everybody experiences as much pain as I did. It is possible some do, though, and that some who go through this may be alone and need to plan ahead if they can.